Bexhill, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BexhillNew South Wales |
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Bexhill open air cathedral
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 Bexhill
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 495 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2480 |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | City of Lismore |
| State electorate(s) | Lismore |
| Federal Division(s) | Richmond |
Bexhill is a small village in New South Wales, Australia. As of 2016, about 495 people lived there. It is located about 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Byron Bay and about 11 kilometres (7 mi) from Lismore. Bexhill is part of the City of Lismore local government area.
The village is on the Murwillumbah railway line and Bangalow Road. The traditional owners of this land are the Widjabul people, who are part of the Bundjalung nation.
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Discover Bexhill's Unique Spots
Bexhill has some interesting places to visit and learn about. From a special outdoor church to an old quarry, there's a mix of nature and history.
The Open Air Cathedral
Bexhill is famous for its unique open air cathedral. This special place is looked after by volunteers from the nearby Uniting Church. The "cathedral" has beautiful native gardens. It offers amazing views of a long valley and hills along Coopers Creek. Many people use it for wedding ceremonies and other special events.
The Old Quarry Site
The village also has an old quarry, which used to be the Bexhill Brickworks. It is officially closed for people to visit or swim in. The water in the quarry has been found to have high acidity, so it's not safe for swimming.
Future Plans for the Quarry
A group called the Bexhill Quarry Parklands Association wants to turn the site into a regional park. This park would be for both visitors and people living nearby. The quarry area could also connect with the planned Northern Rivers Rail Trail. This trail is a path for walking and cycling, and parts of it are already finished. In July 2023, the plan for the quarry received $2000 in funding from the Greater Bank's community program. This money helps with the regeneration efforts.
Bexhill's Landscape and Location
Bexhill is located on the edge of a ridge made of basalt hills. The village itself sits on sedimentary rocks from the Clarence Moreton Basin. It is surrounded by the flood plains of the Wilsons River and Coopers Creek.
A Glimpse into Bexhill's Past
Bexhill was first settled in the early 1800s. It was once a very important place in the early North Coast area of New South Wales. In the 1800s, Bexhill was known by a different name: Baldhill.
Early Industries and Changes
Bexhill's first main industry was red cedar logging. It was easy to float the logs down to Boat Harbour during floods. The Bexhill Public School, started around 1850, often flooded. Because of this, it was eventually moved to higher ground.
After the Federation of Australia (when Australia became a nation), Bexhill's population started to get smaller. The jobs it offered were not as important anymore. People began to move to bigger towns along the far north coast.
Closures and Relocations
As people moved away, some parts of Bexhill began to close down. The post office, which served the surrounding areas, closed and moved to Lismore. The Bexhill Brickworks, which made bricks for the far north coast, closed in the late 1990s. It could not compete with bricks being made in Coffs Harbour and Newcastle.
